VUSTA organizations have a strong reputation in biodiversity conservation

In two days, September 29-30, 2022, the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA), the Center for Communication of Natural Resources and Environment (CNREC), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the International Organization for Conservation of Nature in Vietnam (WWF-Vietnam) coordinated to organize a series of workshops on identifying roles and strengthening policy advocacy to prevent illegal wildlife trade for Vietnamese conservation organizations.

The workshop on role identification and capacity building for policy advocacy to prevent illegal wildlife trade.

Vietnam is one of the 25 countries with the highest biodiversity in the world with about 3,000 species of fish, more than 1,000 species of birds and more than 300 species of mammals. However, the illegal exploitation, transportation, trade and consumption of wild animals and plants are now and are the main threats leading to an increase in the rate of extinction of many species wildlife, degrade natural habitats, cause loss of biodiversity; potential negative impacts on the living environment and human health and created great pressure on nature conservation in Vietnam during the past 30 years.

Aware of the importance of protecting endangered, precious and rare wildlife species in service of socio-economic development, environmental protection to ensure sustainable development of the country, Prime Minister of Vietnam has issued many guidelines and policies to strengthen the effective management of this work.

In the general context of the biodiversity being degraded at a high rate, the illegal trade and consumption of wild animals has increased, in addition to the efforts of the Government, sectors, levels, the role of People's organizations, non-governmental organizations are extremely important to protect wild, precious and rare animals, contributing to the conservation of nature in Vietnam.

Mr. Tran Xuan Viet, Deputy Head of Science, Technology and Environment Department of VUSTA said: “Some organizations under VUSTA are greatly reputable in the field of biodiversity conservation, conservation and conservation. Wildlife conservation and support from international partners such as Vietnam Center for Conservation of Nature (VietNature), Center for People and Nature (PanNature), Education Center for Nature (ENV) ), GAIA Center for Conservation of Nature, Center for Action and Partnership for Environment and Development (CHANGE), Vietnam Center for Wildlife Conservation (SVW), CCD Center, CEGORN Center…”

Mr. Vu Minh Ly, Deputy Director of the Center for Communication of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment spoke at the Workshop.

The results achieved by S&T organizations under VUSTA in general and S&T organizations operating in the field of BD conservation are significantly great, contributing to the implementation of guidelines and policies of the Party and State for activities related to biodiversity conservation. The activities of these organizations have responded very positively, spreading the messages of international organizations such as IUCN, WWF... operating in the field of nature conservation, biodiversity conservation; helping MONRE and MARD perform better state management functions in specialized fields of biodiversity conservation; models, fieldwork, and communication bring about great spillover effects for managers and communities living around nature reserves. The success of these organizations in biodiversity conservation helps demonstrate the correctness of the policy of socialization in the fields of science and technology, environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, community health care, education and training, and development sustainability which VUSTA-affiliated organizations have been implementing.

In the workshop, Mr. Vu Minh Ly, Deputy Director of the Center for Transmission of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said that in recent years, Vietnamese and international NGOs have been active in the field of nature and wildlife conservation has been very active and proactive in detecting, reporting, and making recommendations on environmental issues in general and biodiversity conservation and prevention of trafficking, destruction and illegal wildlife in particular for all levels to consider and promulgate policies to strengthen the effective management of this work.

The workshop confirmed the role and achievements of social organizations in biodiversity conservation and prevention of wildlife trade and consumption in Vietnam and proposed solutions to promote the role of the social organizations for the improvement of policies on wildlife protection in Vietnam.